Digital Signature Standards

Like a handwritten signature, a digital signature can be used to identify and authenticate the originator of a message (or file). A digital signature is also used to provide message integrity by verifying that the message has not been altered after it is signed. In addition, a digital signature may be generated for stored information so that the integrity of the information may be verified at any later time. The verification of a digital signature can be performed by either the recipient of the message or a third party, who may be asked to verify that the message was in fact signed by the originator.